What makes Grove House so special?

What makes Grove House so special?  Well, I'll come back to that in a minute.  But first, I want to tell you about my Uncle Ernie.  Uncle Ernie had a Standard Vanguard, which was his pride and joy.  Now, I should point out that this was in the fifties, when cars were cars - Uncle Ernie's Vanguard was big and black, and had leather seats that were hot in the summer and cold in the winter and made you slide from side to side when the car went round a corner.  Uncle Ernie was a bit of a worrier, but he would never show it - remember, this was the fifties, when men were men, and had to keep up appearances.  However, Uncle Ernie was lucky, because he had Auntie Jennie, who he could always rely on to tell him whenever he went wrong (and she always knew when he was worried, because he would dither).

I remember one occasion in particular, when I was sitting on the rear seat (which was hot, because it was summer).  In those days, we didn't have things like seat belts, or even separate seats in the back of the car, so when we went round a corner, I slid from one side to the other, and usually banged my knee on the window winder handle.  On this occasion the car hadn't broken down (remember, this was the fifties, when there were always problems with radiators, spark plugs, fuel pumps, carburettors and the like).  But Uncle Ernie had taken a wrong turn, and we were a bit lost, and he was a bit worried.

I won't go into details about the conversation between Uncle Ernie and Auntie Jennie - well, it wasn't a conversation really, more like Auntie Jennie asking him the same question over and over again and then telling him, while we were getting more and more lost.  But eventually he did stop and ask a passer-by for help, and in the end we were only an hour late (or so).

So, what makes Grove House so special?  I think you might have guessed already where this is leading.  Like Uncle Ernie, a lot of men (and to be fair, some women too) don't like to admit to being worried, and don't like to ask for help. Me too, sometimes, and I will admit I needed prodding to come to Grove House for the first time.  It wasn't at all what I thought.  Very often, even just using the words "sensitive" and "caring" are enough to bring out the British stiff-upper-lip-I-don't-need-that-sort-of-help side of our natures.  But there is more than just the sensitive and caring side to Grove House.  Very often, it's about sound, practical advice on how to cope with day-to-day niggles and worries, side-effects,what happens-next, travel insurance, benefits, diet, clothes, hats, wigs.  Or about some of the questions you forgot to ask the doctor or consultant last time you saw them, and don't feel it's important enough to bother them again, considering how much pressure the National Health Service is under these days ...

To me, what makes Grove House so special is the range of services, and the quality of those services, and ... well, I could go on and on (like Auntie Jennie).  Why not have a look at our services for yourself?  And if you're worried, for yourself, or a family member, or a friend, why not make our information service your first port of call?  You can call the helpline on 01727 843401, or email us at canceri@grove-house.org.uk, or just drop in and see us (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) at Waverley Road, in the grounds of St Albans City Hospital.